Net seating



Fb. 4, 1964 R. L. PROPST 3,120,407

NET SEATING Filed June 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PUB/5W1. PidPJT R. L. PRQPST NET SEATING Feb. 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1961 [NV EN TOR. 6 0556 7 1. Pia/ 67' United States Patent 3,120,407 NET SEATING Robert L. Propst, Ann Arbor, Mich, assignor to Herman Miller, Inc, Zeeland, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed June 5, 1961, Ser. No. 114,739 27 Claims. (Cl. 297-457) This invention relates to chairs. More particularly, this invention relates to a chair or related unit of fumiture especially well adapted to be used in seating situations requiring comfortable seating for extended periods.

No seating structure presently in existence is designed specifically to fit the special comfort and activity requirements necessary for people engaged in operational control activity. Typical situations requiring such a special type of seat structure are console operators in missile stations, computer programming, television control and similar control center environments. Conventional chairs are simply not practical for people in these situations and it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a seating structure or similar unit of furniture especially adapted for their use.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a tulit of furniture which is especially well adapted for any seating situation requiring comfortable seating over extended periods of time.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a seating structure utilizing a removable net fabric for supporting the sitter, which greatly adds to his comfort and minimizes discomfort caused by pressure point contact on conventional seating.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of such a seating structure which incorporates individual sections along the side edges of the back and seat portions, the net being secured to these individual sections whereby the individual load proportions of a person supported by the net flex these sections individually for adjustment to the load variations.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of such a seating structure incorporating a back portion which flexes with respect to the seat portion, including a unique means for selectively limiting such flexing.

These and other objects of this invention will become obvious to those skilled in the seating art upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front and side perspective view of the chair of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a back and side perspective view of the chair shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the forward end of the seat portion, the net which covers the chair being rolled back to better show the structure therebeneath;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apex of the back portion and seat portion of the chair with the net removed, together with the structure associated therewith;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the apex of the back portion and seat portion of the chair; and

FIG. 7 is a side View of one of the arms of the chair of this invention.

Briefly, this invention relates to a seating structure including a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges and a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges. A net for supporting a person is stretched across the seat portion and the back portion and secured to the sections extending from the seat and back portions. Thus, the individual load proportions of the sitter on the net flex these sections individually for adjustment to load variations.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a chair embodying the teachings and principles of this invention. It must be understood that certain aspects of this invention may be utilized in units of furniture other than chairs and consequently the invention is not to be limited only to chairs. In the embodiment shown, the chair 1 includes a base 2, a one piece shell-like supporting member 3 secured to the base and a net 4 stretched across and secured to the sup porting member 3. In FIG. 1, a person is shown in phantom seated on the chair 1.

The base 2 may be of any suitable structure already known to the chair art, the type of base structure depending on the environment in which the chair is to be used. In certain instances, where an unusually fluid horizontal movement of the seat is required, it will be advantageous to utilize the structure disclosed in my co-pending application Ser-ial No. 95,726, filed March 14-, 1961, and entitled Movable Chair.

The supporting member 3 is preferably of one piece construction and includes a seat portion 149 and a back portion 20. It is to be specifically understood that the term one piece construction includes parts formed individually but joined together in a manner forming a single unit. The supporting member may be fabricated, for example, from either formed plywood or steel and it functions as a stretcher system for the net fabric 4, to he described in greater detail hereinafter. Thus, the seat portion It and the back portion 20 of the supporting memher 3 may be best described as somewhat V-shaped (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6) and shell-like, being relatively thin to allow a degree of flexibility for providing sensitivity to the seating loads.

Extending upwardly along the side edges of the seat portion 10 are a plurality of individual sections or fingers 11, best shown in FIG. 3. Similar sections or fingers 21 extend forwardly from the side edges of the back portion 29, best shown in FIG. 2. An elongated element 15 is secured to the individual sections 11 at each side of the seat portion 11 In the embodiment shown, these elongated elements are fabricated from hard rubber which exhibits a degree of flexibility. Elongated slots 16 (FIG. 4) are formed in each element 15, the extremities 12 of each individual section 11 frictionally fitting within the slots. An upper element 22 and a lower element 23 are similarly secured to the ends of the individual sections 21 extending forwardly from the side edges of the back portion 2t Each upper element 22 and each lower element 23 is similar to the elements 15, including slots receiving the extremities of the sections 21. Upper and lower elements are utilized to accommodate the arm structure 25 to be now described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 7, the individual section 21a at each side of the back portion 2t is formed to include an extension 26 projecting laterally from its end, each extension 26 projecting forwardly from the back portion 20. In the embodiment shown, a hard rubber armrest 27 is secured to each extension 26 by suitable means, such as screws 28 extending therethrough and into the underside of the armrest, forming the arm structures 25.

A pair of U-shaped bars 3i) are secured to the seat portion 16 adjacent the apex of the seat portion iii and back portion 20 as shown in FIG. 5. Conventional snap receivers 31 are mounted in the seat portion 10 forwardly of the U-shaped bars 3d, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

A knee separator 40 is secured to the seat portion 10 near its forward end (FIGS. 3 and 4). The knee spreader 40 is positioned generally midway between the sides of the seat portion 10 and includes a flat spring element 41 bowed upwardly from the seat portion and secured thereto by suitable means, such as the bolts 42 and 43. A rubber pad 44 is affixed to the top of the spring 41.

A means 50 interconnects the seat portion it? and the back portion 29 at each side of the supporting member 3 (FIG. 6), the purpose of the means being to selectively limit flexing between the back and seat portions. In the embodiment shown, each means 50 includes a strap 51 secured to the lowermost section 21 of back portion 20 by means of the bolt 52. The strap 51 includes an elongated slot 53 which is positioned adjacent the section 11 of the seat portion 10 which is closest to the back portion 20. The bolt 54 extends through this rear section 11 and extends through the slot 53. A locking nut 55' is afiixed to the end of the bolt 54. Upon loosening the nut 55, the back portion 20 is free to flex with respect to the seat portion 10. However, tightening of the nut 55 will lock the back portion in any selected position with respect to the seat portion, thereby allowing limited flexing between the two and no relative movement.

The net 4 is stretched across the seat and back portions and is wrapped around and secured to the elements 15 and 22, 23 respectively. A pair of flaps 32 are secured to the underside of the net as shown in FIG. 5, snaps 33 being provided on the flaps 32, the purpose of which will be fully explained hereinafter. The net 4 is preferably of a nylon or Dacron knit fabric which greatly minimizes discomfort caused by pressure points and lack of ventilation. Such a net is advantageous in that it is tough and tear resistant, low in cost, easily cleaned, laundered or sterilized and very adaptable to use in adjustable or motion situations. Such a net may be provided in any color and exhibit considerable variation in density and performance characteristics. In proposed use, the weave should be close enough to give the net an even fabric appearance with only slight transparency effects. The net 4 may be attached to the elements 15, 22 and 23 by any of several means. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of snaps 6, 7 and 8 are provided respectively along the top, sides and bottom of the net 4, the purpose of the snaps being to initially position the net with respect to the supporting member 3 (FIG. 2). High friction surfaces 5 and 17 (FIG. 4) are provided along the underside of the edges of the net 4 and the elements 15 respectively. Similar friction surfaces are provided on the elements 22 and 23. These high friction surfaces are of a type well-known, resisting relative sliding movement therebetween, yet dis engaging one from the other upon the use of a peeling action. A specific example of such a material is sold under the name Velcro, manufactured by The Velcro Corporation, New York, New York.

The net 4 is attached to the one piece shell 5 as follows. It should be noted that this assembly may be achieved completely by hand, without the use of tools. Further, no great strength is required as this method is easy to carry out. The net 4 is positioned over the shell 3 and the flaps 32 are positioned under the U-shaped bars 30 (FIG. 5). The snaps 7 are secured as follows along the sides of the seat portion 10 and the back portion 26 to properly position the net 4 (FIG. 2). First, the snap on each side of the seat portion 10 adjacent the back portion 20 is secured. Next, the snaps are secured along the sides of the back portion 20, beginning at the bottom and working upwardly. Next, the snaps 6 along the top of the net are secured to the back of the back portion 29. Then, the rest of the snaps are secured along the sides of the seat portion 10, beginning at the back and working forwardly. The snaps 33 on the fiaps 32 are then secured to the snap receivers 31 in the bottom of the seat portion 10 (FIG. 5). Finally, the bottom of the net is secured by means of the snaps 8 along the front of the seat portion 10. The high friction surfaces 5 and 17 along the sides of the net 4 and the elements 15, 22 and 23 are then secured by pressing them together. With these simple steps, the net 4 is positioned and securely fastened to the supporting member 3. When the snaps along the sides of the seat and back portion are secured, the net bows upwardly. By then pulling and securing the flaps 32 to the seat portion, a proper tensioning of the net is achieved with minimal hand effort. By merely loosening the snaps 6, 7, t5 and 33 and peeling the net 4 from the elements 15, 22 and 23 the net may be removed from the supporting member 3 for cleaning, etc.

The person using the seat structure of this invention is completely supported by the net fabric 4, the net providing greater comfort and minimizing pressure point contact and moisture entrapment which is the greatest cause of discomfort when sitting for an extended period. Since the net is supported by the individual sections or fingers 11 and 21 of the seat portion and back portion respectively. these sections flex for adjustment to the individual load variations of the sitter. Thus, complete comfort is provided for any person using the chair 1, regard less of his weight or proportion. Due to the construction of the supporting member 3, the back portion may flexrelative to the seat portion. However, if the sitter wishes to be supported in a relatively upright position, the back portion 2% may be so positioned with respect to the seafl portion 1%, the nut 55 having been loosened, allowing the bolt to slide within the slot 53 of the strap 51. Retightening of the nut 55 after this repositioning prevents relative movement of the back portion with respect to the seat portion, although a limited amount of flexing still occurs due to the inherent construction of the supporting member 3. This selectivity provides still greater adaptivity for the chair of this invention. The knee separator 4-0 additionally assures comfort at the knee area of the sitter.

While only certain embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it may be possible to practice the invention through the utilization of certain other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Such other embodiments are to be included as a part of this invention unless the following claims specifically state otherwise.

I claim:

1. A unit of furniture including a supporting member having a plurality of sections extending therefrom along at least two opposed side edges, a net for supporting a person stretched across said supporting member and secured to said sections, whereby the individual load proportions of a person supported by said net flex said sections for adjustment to load variations.

2. A unit of furniture including a shell-like support ing member having a plurality of sections extending therefrom along at least two opposed side edges, a net for supporting a person stretched across said supporting member and secured to the ends of said sections, where by the individual load proportions of a persons supported by said net flex said sections for adjustment to load variations. p

3. A unit for furniture including a shell-like supporting member having a plurality of sections extending there from along at least two opposed side edges, an elongated; flexible element secured to the ends of said sections ateach side of said supporting member, and a net for supporting a person stretched across said supporting member and secured to said elements, whereby the individual load proportions of a person supported by said net flex said sections for adjustment to load variations.

4. A seating structure, including: a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges; a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said sections extending from said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations.

5. A seating structure, including; a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges; a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said sections extending from said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations; and said net secured adjacent the apex of said seat and back portions.

6. A seating structure, including: a seat portion havin" a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges; a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said sections extending from said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations; and an upstanding knee separator secured adjacent the forward end of said seat portion generally midway between the side edges thereof for supporting said net in the area between the sitters knees.

7. A seating structure as defined in claim 6, said knee separator comprising a spring member secured at its ends to said seat portion and bowed upwardly toward said net.

8. A seating structure, including: a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges; a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said sections extending from said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations; said net secured to the top of said back portion, the forward end of said seat portion and to at least one of said seat or back portions adjacent the juncture of said portions; and an upstanding knee separator secured adjacent the forward end of said seat portion generally midway between the side edges thereof for supporting said net in the area between the sitters knees.

9. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible, shell-like member including a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges and a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said sections extending from said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations.

10. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible, shell-like member including a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges and a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said sections extending from said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations; and a means interconnecting said seat and back portions for selectively limiting the relative flexing therebetween.

11. A seating structure as defined in claim 10, said means for selectively limiting flexing comprising a strap fixedly secured to each side of one of said seat and back portions, the other ends of said straps including an elongated slot receiving bolts extending through the other of said seat and back portions, means being provided in conjunction with said bolt for selectively positioning and locking said other of said seat and back portions with respect to said straps.

12. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible, shell-like member including a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges and a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said sections extending from said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations; a means interconnecting said seat and back portions for selectively limiting the relative flexing therebetween; said net secured to the top of said back portion, the forward end of said seat portion and to at least one of said seat or back portions adjacent the juncture of said portions; and an upstanding knee separator secured adjacent the forward end of said seat portion generally midway between the side edges thereof for supporting said net in the area between the sitters knees.

13. A seating structure, including: a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges; a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; elongated, flexible elements secured to the ends of said sections at the sides of said seat portion and said back portion; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said elements mounted on said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations.

14. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible, shell-like member including a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges and a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; elongated, flexible elements secured to the ends of said sections at the sides of said seat portion and said back portion; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said elements mounted on said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations.

15. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible, shell-like member including a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges and a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; elongated, flexible elements secured to the ends of said sections at the sides of said seat portion and said back portion; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said elements mounted on said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations; and a means interconnecting said seat and back portions for selectively limiting the relative flexing therebetween.

16. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible, shell-like member including a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges and a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; elongated, flexible elements secured to the ends of said sections at the sides of said seat portion and said back portion; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion and secured to said elements mounted on said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations; said net secured to the top of said back portion, the forward end of said seat portion and adjacent the apex of said seat and back portions.

17. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible, shell-like member including a seat portion having a plurality of individual sections extending upwardly along its side edges and a back portion having a plurality of individual sections extending forwardly along its side edges; elongated, flexible elements secured to the ends of said sections at the sides of said seat portion and said back portion; a net for supporting a person stretched across said seat portion and said back portion. and secured to said elements mounted on said seat and back portions, whereby the individual load proportions of the sitter flex said sections for adjustment to load variations; said net secured to the top of said back portion, the forward end of said seat portion and adjacent the apex of said seat and back portions; an upstanding kneeseparator secured adjacent the forward end of said seat portion generally midway between the side edges thereof for supporting said net in the area between the sitters. knees; and a means interconnecting said seat and back. portions for selectively limiting the relative flexing there between.

18. A seating structure as defined in claim 17, said. means for selectively limiting flexing comprising a strap fixedly secured to each side of one of said seat and back. portions, the other ends of said straps including an elongated slot receiving bolts extending through the other of said seat and back portions, means being provided in conjunction with said bolt for selectively positioning and locking said other of said seat and back portions with respect to said straps.

19. A seating structure as defined in claim 17, said knee separator comprising a spring member secured at. its ends to said seat portion and bowed upwardly toward said net.

20. A seating structure as defined in claim 17, said net secured adjacent the apex of said seat and back portions by means of at least one flap attached to the under side of said net, said flap extending under a bar mounted on said seat portion and said flap aflixed to said seat portion.

21. A seating structure as defined in claim 5, said net secured adjacent the apex of said seat and back portions by means of at least one flap attached to the underside of said net, said flap extending under a bar mounted on said seat portion and said flap atflxed to said seat portion.

22. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible member having a back portion and a seat portion; said seat portion having an upwardly and outwardly extending flange extending along each of its side edges; said back portion having a forwardly and outwardly extending flange along each of its side edges; a net secured to said flanges extending from said back portion and said seat portion; and said net secured to said member adjacent the apex of said seat portion and said back portion.

23. A seating structure as defined in claim 22, said net secured adjacent the apex of said seat and back portions by means of at least one flap attached to the underside of said net, said flap extending under a bar mounted on said seat portion and said flap affixed to said seat portion.

24. A seating structure, including: a one piece, relatively thin, flexible member having a back portion and a seat portion; said seat portion having an upwardly and outwardly extending flange extending along each of its side edges; said back portion having a forwardly and outwardly extending flange along each of its side edges; a net secured to said flanges extending from said back portion and said seat portion; a means interconnecting said seat and back portions for selectively limiting the relative flexing therebetween; and said net secured to said member adjacent the apex of said seat portion and said back portion.

25. A seating structure as defined in claim 24, said net secured adjacent the apex of said seat and back portions by means of at least one flap attached to the underside of said net, said flap extending under a bar mounted on said seat portion and said flap aflixed to said seat portion.

26. A seating structure as defined in claim 24, said means for selectively limiting flexing comprising a strap fixedly secured to each side of one of said seat and back portions, the other ends of said straps including an elongated slot receiving bolts extending through the other of said seat and back portions, means being provided in conjunction with said bolt for selectively positioning and locking said other of said seat and back portions with respect to said straps.

27. A seating structure, including: a shell-like seat portion; a shell-like back portion; a net secured to the edges of said seat portion and said back portion; said net secured adjacent the apex of said seat and back portions by means of at least one flap attached to the underside of said net, said flap extending under a bar mounted on said seat portion and said flap aflixed to said seat portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,218,863 Wagner Oct. 22, 1940 2,393,499 Flint Jan. 22, 1946 2,546,109 Puchalsky Mar. 20, 1951 2,725,096 Granby Nov. 29, 1955 2,809,692 Taffae Oct. 15, 1957 2,847,061 Morton Aug. 12, 1958 2,901,028 Bottemiller Aug. 25, 1959 3,024,068 Eames Mar. 6, 1962 

1. A UNIT OF FURNITURE INCLUDING A SUPPORTING MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS EXTENDING THEREFROM ALONG AT LEAST TWO OPPOSED SIDE EDGES, A NET FOR SUPPORTING A PERSON STRETCHED ACROSS SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER AND SECURED TO SAID SECTIONS, WHEREBY THE INDIVIDUAL LOAD PROPORTIONS OF A PERSON SUPPORTED BY SAID NET FLEX SAID SECTION FOR ADJUSTMENT TO LOAD VARIATIONS. 